Google aims to provide broadband in 34 more cities

SAN FRANCISCO — Google is planning to offer high-speed Internet service in 34 more cities scattered across eight states in the company’s boldest challenge yet to cable and telecommunications providers.

The ambitious expansion announced Wednesday targets Arizona, California, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas and Utah. The markets span some of the largest cities in the U.S. They include: Atlanta, San Jose, Calif., Phoenix; San Antonio; Portland, Ore. and Salt Lake City. The company also hopes to bring the Internet service, called “Google Fiber,” to its hometown of Mountain View, Calif.

The blueprint is tentative because Google Inc. needs to work out logistics with government leaders in the communities where it hopes to build the networks needed to deliver its service. The company hopes to provide updates by the end of the year.

With Google Fiber, people can surf the Internet at a speed of one gigabit per second, up to 100 times faster than existing broadband services. Prices for the service are comparable or below what most households already pay.

Launched as an experimental project in 2010, Google Fiber is only available in three cities so far: Kansas City, Kan.; Kansas City, Mo. and Provo, Utah. It’s coming to Austin, Texas sometime this year.